Bomberger’s PFG Joins the Michter’s Lineup

Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon, launched in 2014, is a nod to the historical past of its guardian firm, Michter’s, which was referred to as Bomberger’s from round 1860 — till Prohibition compelled the distillery’s closure in 1919. Whereas its identify displays the previous, the whiskey itself seems to be extra to the long run. 

For the previous a number of years, the annual Declaration releases had been partly aged in not often used Chinkapin oak, a varietal of American white oak that imparts a distinctively spicy and intense taste profile to the whiskey. Now, Michter’s has pushed its barrel-aging boundaries additional nonetheless with the primary launch of Bomberger’s PFG Kentucky Straight Bourbon, an experimental expression with French oak that Michter’s president Joe Magliocco describes as “a journey into the realm of wooden science and its potential to affect whiskey in a wide range of methods together with aroma, style, texture and end.”

Bomberger’s PFG (brief for Precision Positive Grain) is a part of the Michter’s Legacy Collection, which incorporates Bomberger’s Declaration. Very like Declaration, PFG’s origins stay a thriller — Michter’s retains mum about whether or not the bourbon is distilled at its Shively, Kentucky distillery or sourced elsewhere. The mashbill can also be undisclosed, save for the requirement that it accommodates a minimum of 51% corn. 

Nevertheless, what we do know is that after growing older for an unspecified size of time in new American oak, the whiskey is then completed in barrels manufactured from fine-grained French oak from a number of completely different forests throughout the area, together with Tronçais, Allier, Nevers, and Vosges. Past that, the staves used for these barrels had been air-dried for a minimum of 40 months by the Charente River, a meticulous course of meant to reinforce the whiskey’s complexity. 

However why go to the difficulty? 

“Pure seasoning and air drying enable the barrels to expertise bodily, chemical, and microbiological modifications that eliminate much less fascinating compounds and expose stunning extractives in preparation of the wooden for growing older whiskey,” says Andrea Wilson, Michter’s grasp of maturation. “Kiln drying is quicker and might present bodily modifications to the wooden, however you miss the chance to change and remodel the chemistry and construction of the wooden.” 

The placement of the staves additionally exposes them to that specific microclimate, which, after all, additional influences the flavour of the whiskey. The size of ending can also be beneath wraps, with Wilson noting, “As a result of experimentation can take years and great effort by our group… we need to attempt to hold just a few secrets and techniques.” 

As with all of Michter’s releases, PFG is filtered utilizing its customized filtration protocol earlier than bottling. In comparison with Declaration, PFG sports activities a decrease proof, 50.1% ABV versus 54.2%. “We select the perfect proof for our merchandise by tastings and analysis of every expression by our inside tasting panel,” says Wilson. “The purpose is to not merely select a proof however select a proof that we imagine creates an pleasant ingesting expertise.” 

The distinction between the 2 Bomberger’s is obvious even of their look, with PFG sporting a darker, redder hue than Declaration. Wilson describes it as “built-in and complicated… bursting with beautiful fruits and spice, surrounded by toasty, candy notes with an elegant bouquet.” She additional characterizes the end as “luxurious, with a creamy mouthfeel that has lingering delicate spice and chocolate.”

Whereas Bomberger’s Declaration isn’t going wherever, however PFG is right here to remain as properly. “Our group is so pleased with PFG that we’ve got taken steps to put down extra of it to supply sooner or later,” Wilson says. 

Take heed, although — Bomberger’s expressions change from 12 months to 12 months, so this actual taste profile is probably going a one-time-only affair. One this batch is gone, it’s gone for good.